BEIJING: China will kick off six days of live-fire military exercises off its eastern coast later this week, state press reported Tuesday, amid plans for US-South Korean war games in the nearby Yellow Sea.

The People`s Liberation Army has banned all vessels from entering a large area of open water off its eastern coast from Wednesday through July 5 when the naval exercises will take place, the China Daily reported.

The war games come as the United States and South Korea are planning a special naval exercise as a show of strength in response to the sinking of a South Korean warship in March.

No dates have been announced for that exercise, but North Korea -- blamed by Washington and Seoul for the sinking of the Cheonan -- on Tuesday warned that any accidental clash during those war games could spark war.

Pyongyang has denied any involvement in the sinking of the warship, which killed 46 sailors.

China has refused to condemn North Korea for the alleged attack, only saying that it is still assessing information linked to the sinking, including the international findings backed by Washington and Seoul.

China last week expressed concerns over the planned joint US-South Korean exercises, which reportedly will include a nuclear-powered US aircraft carrier battle group in close proximity to China`s territorial waters.

"The Chinese side is seriously concerned about relevant reports, and is closely following the development of the situation," foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters.

"Under the current circumstances, relevant parties should exercise restraint and refrain from doing things that may escalate tensions and harm the interests of the countries in the region."

China, North Korea`s closest ally and a provider of badly needed aid to impoverished nation, is obliged by a 1961 treaty to help defend the isolated nation against unprovoked aggression.


BDST : 1118 HRS, 29 June, 2010
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